Partnership #325 - Annual Evaluation - December 31, 2010 | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP) Name
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Strategic Partnership (OSP) with the Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) Construction Contractors, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and the Edison Electrical Institute (EEI) (OSHA and ET&D OSP)
Purpose of OSP
The Partners agree to construct a Partnership based on mutual respect and trust that leverages the resources of the Partners through the systematic anticipation, identification, evaluation, and control of health and safety hazards during electrical construction transmission and distribution work, thereby continuously reducing worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses in the Industry. Note: The OSHA and ET&D OSP was originally signed on August 20, 2004. The OSP was renewed on August 24, 2006 and again on September 16, 2008. The current agreement expired on September 16, 2010. OSHA and the partnership participants agreed to continue to work together to develop a new partnership renewal agreement.
Goals of Partnership
Goal	Strategy	Measure
1) Perform data analysis as a means to establish causes of fatalities, injuries, and illnesses for electrical work in the Industry (Data for work performed under both normal and emergency situations will be included).	Through the Task Teams: a) Obtain industry-specific Days Away from Work, Restricted Work Activity, or Job Transfer (DART) rates and Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) based on partner recordable injuries and illnesses per man hours worked annually. b) Develop a concise database of accidents and incidents involving fatalities and serious injuries. c) Analyze accident and incident data to identify common causes for fatalities, injuries, and illnesses suffered by linemen, apprentices, and other appropriate job classifications. (The Steering Team will determine the manner in which data will be collected and reported.) Through the Steering Team: a) Identify and prioritize the target areas that cause serious injuries and fatalities. Areas covered may include PPE requirements, approach distances, and grounding. The designated areas will be assigned to specific Task Teams to develop strategies for addressing these causes, including: Consensus Best Practices Training Outreach and Communication	Develop Metrics, including but not limited to: i. Baseline DART and TCIR rates for partners compared to published BLS averages for the industry, and any other metrics identified by the Steering Team.
2) Develop Best Practices to reduce the number of fatalities, injuries, and illnesses that directly correspond to the identified causes, as well as any other significant hazards identified by the OSP.	Through a specific Task Team: a) Obtain consensus for the Best Practices for each identified cause. These causes will relate to the maintenance, repair, and construction of transmission and distribution systems. (Procedures should be appropriate under both normal and emergency situations.) b) Share Best Practices among Partners. c) Develop implementation strategies for each Best Practice. Implementation strategies should include all major milestones, projected timelines, and means of verification. d) Recognize implementation of Best Practices and post results on a common Partnership website. e) Evaluate the media utilized by all members to present Best Practices.	Develop metrics related to required work practices, including but not limited to: i. Number of Best Practices developed. ii. Number of Best Practices posted on common website or through other electronic tools. iii. Number of Best Practices effectively implemented by Partners.
3) Ensure that the Industry Partners' workers are effectively trained to utilize the established Best Practices including: Minimum qualifications for Transmission and Distribution (T&D) construction linemen; Standards for quality and consistency of training for Apprentices and In service training for lineworkers; Minimum skill set qualifications for T&D construction foremen, general foremen, and supervisors;	Through a specific Task Team, in addition to training required pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act: a) Identify training criteria for foremen, general foremen, and supervisors, including training to promote industry culture change to place value on safety and health. b) Identify training criteria for linemen, including training to promote industry culture change to place value on safety and health. c) Identify training culture for apprentices, including training to promote culture change to place value on safety and health. d) Develop a procedure for uniform evaluation and communication of skill levels (i.e. SmartCard or like database system). e) Develop a procedure for certification or documentation of training prior to starting a new or changed job with participants. f) Develop a means for partners to address repeated failures to follow training and violations of safety procedures.	Develop metrics related to required training/re-training and refresher training requirements, including but not limited to: i. Number or percentage of supervisors receiving the minimum training and/or re-training. ii. Number or percentage of linemen receiving the minimum training and/or retraining. iii. Number or percentage of apprentices receiving the minimum training and/or retraining. iv. Number or percentage of linemen and supervisors receiving certification, when developed. v. Number or percentage of employees who have successfully mastered skills and procedures established in Best Practices.
4) Retraining/refresher training of linemen, foremen, general foremen, and supervisors.	a) Create re-training/refresher standards for linemen, apprentices, foremen, general foremen, supervisors, and any other relevant job classification.
Anticipated Outcomes
OSHA and the OSP participants will continue to collaborate to provide safe and healthful work environments for workers and contractors involved in the ET&D industry by working toward prevention and elimination of serious accidents, injuries, and fatalities through: increased supervisor, foremen/general foremen training; development and implementation of best practices; enhancement of safety and health management programs; and assuring compliance with OSHA standards and regulations for this industry. The OSHA and ET&D OSP's Task Teams (Data, Training, Best Practices, and Communication), as well as other OSHA and signatory representatives, will analyze partner company and industry accident and incident data to identify common causes for fatalities, injuries, and illnesses experienced by linemen, apprentices, and other appropriate job classifications. Based on this analysis, the OSP Task Teams will make recommendations on and develop products and activities to address the strategies outlined in the table above. Through the OSHA and ET&D OSP, Executive Committee, Steering Committee, and Task Teams representatives will continue to pursue efforts to promote a safety culture change by placing value on safety and health throughout the ET&D industry. The OSP participants will continue to share information including Best Practices documents and other OSHA and ET&D OSP successes, through the participants' website, Powerlinesafety.org.

Strategic Management Plan Target Areas (check one)
X	Construction	Manufacturing Amputations
X	Non-Construction
Strategic Management Plan Areas of Emphasis (check all applicable)
	Amputations in Construction	Oil and Gas Field Services
	Blast Furnaces and Basic Steel Products	Preserve Fruits and Vegetables
	Blood Lead Levels	Public Warehousing and Storage
	Concrete, Gypsum and Plaster Products	Ship/Boat Building and Repair
	Ergo/Musculoskeletal	Silica-Related Disease
	Landscaping/Horticultural Services

Section 1 General Partnership Information

Evaluation Period
Start Date	January 1, 2010	End Date	December 31, 2010

Evaluation Contact Person	Richard L. Harris
Originating Office	OSHA, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, Office of Partnerships and Recognition, Washington, DC

Partnership Coverage
# Active Employers	6	# Active Employees	23,650

Industry Coverage (note range or specific SIC and NAICS for each partner)
Partner	SIC	NAICS
Asplundh Tree Expert Company	1623	237130
Henkels & McCoy, Inc.	1623	237130
MDU Construction Services Group, Inc.	1623	237130
MYR Group, Inc.	1623	237130
Pike Electric, Inc.	1623	237130
Quanta Services, Inc.	1623	237130

Section 2 Activities Performed

Note whether an activity was required by the OSP and whether it was performed
	Required	Performed
a. Training	Yes	Yes
b. Consultation Visits	No	No
c. Safety and Health Management Systems Reviewed/Developed	Yes	Yes
d. Technical Assistance	Yes	Yes
e. Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)- Focused Activities	No	Yes
f. OSHA Enforcement Inspections	No	Yes
g. Offsite Verifications	No	No
h. Onsite Non-Enforcement Interactions	No	No
i. Participant Self-Inspections	No	Yes
j. Other Activities	No	Yes
2a. Training (if performed, provide the following totals)
Training sessions conducted by OSHA staff			0
Training sessions conducted by non-OSHA staff			351
Employees trained			3,070
Training hours provided to employees			15,754
Supervisors/managers trained			706
Training hours provided to supervisors/managers			10,927
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
The Training Task Team (TT-2) coordinates the training efforts for the OSHA and ET&D OSP. Some of the duties of this Task Team include developing training courses as needed to address the identified causal factors of accidents tracking the training courses provided, and promoting the OSHA and ET&D OSP's training efforts throughout the industry. During 2010, the OSP partners continued to conduct the Supervisory Leadership Skills Outreach Training (SLSOT) course. This course is designed to help foremen/general foremen create a safe work culture on the job, and course attendees receive an OSHA training card upon successfully completing the course. A total of 706 supervisors and managers completed this training during this evaluation period. In addition, 3,070 workers successfully completed the ET&D industry-specific OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training Program course during this evaluation period. This number includes apprentices, journeymen, and foremen/general foremen. Further, on April 22, 2010 in Batavia, Illinois, representatives from IBEW, Local 196 conducted a training class on high-voltage line safety in the electrical transmission for twenty-six OSHA Region V Compliance Assistance Specialists (CAS). The training addressed topics including methods to identify proper underground and overhead electrical grounding and other ET&D construction-related hazards. The OSP partners and OSHA worked on the development of a proposal to conduct the ET&D industry-specific OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training Program and ET&D Train the Trainer courses through OSHA's Education Centers. If implemented, this approach would create a nationwide network of training venues for partner and non-partner industry workers. In May 2010, the partners assumed responsibility for continuing to work with the OTI to finalize the training proposal.
2b. Consultation Visits (if performed, provide the following total)
Consultation visits to partner sites					0
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
The OSP does not track this information.
2c. Safety and Health Management Systems (if performed, provide the following total)
Number of systems implemented or improved using the OSHA's 1989 Guidelines for Safety and Health Management Programs as a model				6
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
All six OSP participating contractor companies reported that their Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS) were improved during this evaluation period. MDU Construction Services Group, Inc. reported that continuous improvement in their company's SHMS led to improved safety and health awareness and that the enhancement has resulted in fewer injuries experienced by MDU Construction Services Group, Inc. workers. Henkels & McCoy reported that continuous improvement in their company's SHMS through the company-wide implementation of one hundred percent fall protection requirements on wood poles. The implementation of Best Practices documents helps the OSP partners to continually improve their SHMS. In addition, the OSP partners continued to review of the scope of their implementation of Best Practices documents during this evaluation period. Results from this analysis were used to enhance their SHMS. The OSP partners continue to work on a Best Practices document, "Safety at Heights - Fall Protection on Wood Poles" to reduce or eliminate injuries and fatalities caused by fall hazards on wood poles and other structures. It is anticipated that the "Safety at Heights - Fall Protection on Wood Poles" Best Practices document will be completed and possibly implemented during 2011.
2d. Technical Assistance (if performed, note type and by whom)
	Provided by OSHA Staff	Provided by Partners	Provided by Other Party
Conference/Seminar Participation	0	11	1
Interpretation/Explanation of Standards or OSHA Policy	4	4	0
Abatement Assistance	0	1	0
Speeches	0	4	0
Other (please specify)	0	0	0
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
OSHA and the partners continued their collaboration and outreach activities during the evaluation period. OSP partners reported their representatives participated in the following training, seminars and conferences: National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA): Training Session: October 1-2, 2010, NECA Annual Convention, OET&D OSHA 10 Hour Outside Safety Training, Boston, MA. A Partner instructor conducted a two day training for 11 contractors, linemen, and instructors. Conferences/Seminars: August 2, 2010, National Training Institute (NTI), OSHA and ET&D OSP Best Practices, Ann Arbor, MI. Twenty Joint Apprenticeship and Training directors and instructors attended the annual NTI training conference and learned about the latest training techniques, equipment and safety efforts available through the OSP. October 2, 2010, NECA Annual Convention, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Contractor Safety Initiative, Boston, MA. A Partner representative facilitated a panel discussion about EEI efforts through the assistance of the OSP for aligning the safety principles and practices of utilities, contractors and OSHA. Fifteen contractor employees attended. October 2, 2010, NECA Annual Convention, ET&D Best Practices, Boston, MA. The OSP Task Team 3 Chairman provided a review of the eight best practices for outside line workers and how contractors can implement them in day-to-day operations. Twenty-three contractor and training directors attended. Henkels & McCoy: Conferences/Seminars: October 4-6, 2010, National Safety Congress and Exposition, San Diego, CA April 4-6, 2010, EEI Spring Safety and Health Committee Meeting, New Orleans, LA. In addition to attending the conference sessions the representatives also participated in and are members of the EEI Industry Practice Task Force and the EEI Contractor Safety Committee. September 26-29, 2010, EEI Fall Safety and Health Committee Meeting, Orlando, FL. June 13-15, 2010, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Safety 2010 Professional Development Conference (PDC) in Baltimore, MD. October 2, 2010, NECA Annual Convention, Boston, MA. A representative attended and participated in a panel discussion. The 90 minute panel discussion covered Contactor Safety and OSP issues such as Best Practices and 10- and 20- hour training. Asplundh Tree Expert Company: Conferences: January 2010, UtiliCon Solutions, Ltd., Manager's Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. April 2010, Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Safety Professional Development Conference, Philadelphia, PA. Pike Electric, Inc.: Speeches: January 2010, National Safety Council (NSC) – Utilities Division,Orlando, FL.Presented Work Zone Protection–Changes, Update & New Initiative. March 2010, Duke Energy Transmission Contractor Safety Meeting, Charlotte, NC. Presented Contractor Safety Programs. May 2010, Incident Prevention Conference, Denver, CO. Presented the workshop, Adapting Safety to a Dynamic Company Culture. August 23-26, 2010, 26th Annual National VPPPA Conference, Orlando, FL. Presented the workshop, Adapting Safety to a Dynamic Company Culture. October 4-6, 2010, National Safety Council Conference Congress and Exposition, San Diego, CA. Presented the workshop, Adapting Safety to a Dynamic Company Culture. Conferences: September 2010, Carolina Star (VPP) Safety Conference. October 4-6, 2010, National Safety Council Conference, San Diego, CA. November 2010, North Carolina Safety Council. MYR Group, Inc: Conferences: January 2010, NSC – Utilities Division.MYR Group, Inc. representatives attended and presented on the OSHA and ET&D OSP. May 5-6, 2010, Region VIII VPPPA Chapter Conference. MYR Group, Inc. representatives attended. August 23-26, 2010, 26th Annual National VPPPA Conference, Orlando, FL. L.E. Myers and Sturgeon Electric representatives attended. OSHA Participation: During the evaluation period the Executive Team, Steering Team and Task Team 1 met on several occasions. During these meetings, the participating OSHA representative shared expertise on a variety of topics, including OSHA recordkeeping requirements and cooperative programs policy related to the OSP.
2e. VPP-Focused Activities (if performed, provide the following totals)
Partners actively seeking VPP participation in 2010					1
Applications submitted in 2010					1
VPP participants approved in 2010					0
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
Pike Electric: Pike Electric received a pre-VPP audit in April of 2010 and submitted their application for approval as a Carolina STAR participant in May 2010. At the time of this evaluation their approval is pending.
2f. OSHA Enforcement Activity (if performed, provide the following totals for any programmed, unprogrammed, and verification-related inspections) **
OSHA enforcement inspections conducted				85
OSHA enforcement inspections in compliance				69
OSHA enforcement inspections with violations cited				16
Number of citations classified as Serious, Repeat, and Willful				15
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
This section includes information regarding inspections conducted for each of the six signatory construction contractors and their subsidiaries. During 2010, the OSP participating employers experienced five fatalities: two were related to electrical contact; two fatalities resulted from falls; and one fatality occurred during a helicopter accident while involved in transmission line work. During 2009, the OSP participating employers experienced two fatalities; both related to electrical contact. All workplace fatalities were investigated by OSHA. Fifteen Serious, Repeat, and Willful violations were issued in 2010. This is a significant, a decrease over the 54 citations of similar classification issued in 2009. The OSP is reviewing accident causal factors, developing a new best practices document for implementation, and discussing ways to expand training to address issues identified during enforcement inspections. ** This data is preliminary as some of the citation/violation numbers and classifications may change due to casefile settlement and the completion of a data migration project by OSHA. Data related to open inspections is not publicly releasable.
2g. Offsite Verification (if performed provide the following total)
Offsite verifications performed					0
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
Offsite Verifications are not required by the OSP.
2h. Onsite Non-Enforcement Verification (if performed provide the following total)
Onsite non-enforcement verifications performed					0
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
Onsite Non-Enforcement Verifications are not required by the OSP.
2i. Participant Self-Inspections (if performed provide the following totals)
Self-inspections performed					17,332
Hazards and/or violations identified and corrected/abated					**
Comments/Explanations (briefly describe activities, or explain if activity required but not performed)
While the OSP does not require the participants to conduct self inspections at their worksites, OSP participating companies do conduct self-inspections and three participants provided information about those results for this evaluation. Pike Electric (9,218 Self-inspections reported) Pike Electric reported that the company has completed 9,218 self inspections during the reporting period and that any hazards, if identified, were immediately corrected or abated. MYR Group, Inc. (137 Self-inspections reported) The ET&D Best Practice Performance Evaluation Observation Form was used within all MYR Group, Inc. subsidiaries to evaluate the effectiveness of MYR Best Practice implementation. The initial phase of implementation involved training/coaching/mentoring management, supervision and field personnel on all criteria of the ET&D Best Practices. All personnel demonstrate positive performance of the ET&D Best Practices based on current employer field observations. Asplundh Tree Expert Company (7,977 Self-inspections reported) Asplundh Tree Expert Company reported that during 2010, the company conducted 7,977 self inspections; with 348,274 Safe Behaviors identified and 6,225 At-Risk behaviors reviewed. ** The specific numbers of hazards corrected/abated as a result of OSP participating employer work site self-inspections are not required to be tracked by the OSP. The partners have agreed to correct all serious hazards observed during any routine site audits.
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